Diaphragm-type seal



Feb. 15, 1949. v. E. VORHEES DIAPHRAGM-TYPE SEAL Filed Nov. 50, 1945 INVENTOR. flnd Ill! Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT o F cE DIAPHRAGM-TYPE SEAL Vance E. Vorhees, Lincolnwood; Ill., casino: to

poration of Illino Crane Packing Cigmpany, Chicago, lllipa cor- Application November so, 194}, Serial No. 531.853

This invention relates to fluid seals and particularly to fluid seals of the mechanical type wherein a seal is effected between relatively rotatable surfaces which are located in a radial mane. t 1

The principal object of this invention is to providean improved fluid seal for relatively low pressureapplic'ations which seal will be comprised of a minimum number of parts so'that the cost thereof will be relatively low.

Another object of this invention isto provide '7 Claims. (01. ass-#11) is adapted to slide axially freely within a retainer I! which is held frictionally upon an outer cylindrical surface I9 of an axially extending cup 22 in the-impeller l l. The washer may be molded from any of the materials commonly used for this purpose such as that disclosed in U. 8. Patent No. 2,326,000, issued on August 3. 1943, to 0.1. Teeple.

Retainer I8 is formed at its mid-portion with a radially extending shoulder 20 which abuts the end 2| of the axially extending cup 22 on ima seal of'the type described in which a hard 'sealing washer is positively interlocked with a retainer and which,except for the spring; will be self-contained and may beinstalled in place by a simple press-fit. The only metallic part, other.

than the spring, will be the retainer.

An important feature of this-invention is a sealing'member which may be made of flexible resilient material such as rubben, either :natural or synthetic, or a silicone composition, the form of the sealing member being substantially washer,

like so as to require either no molds at allfor its.

formation or the simplest oftwo-partmolds.

Anotlier important feature of this invention.

is theprovisio'n, in a seal of thetype described,

of a 'sealingwasher which is movable axially, but is interlocked mechanically with the remainder-of the seal so as to be positively rotated or held therewith,'said washer being sealed from the part by a diaphragm type of to which it is interlocked sealing'ele'ment.

tion between retainer l8 and washer ll.

slots and indentations 24 are also shown in peller ll. At its right-hand end (Fig. 1) retainer I8 is formed with an inwardly disposed flange 23 extending into the path of movement of washer II. To the left ofand immediately adjacentflange 23,(l5?ig. 1) two or moreindentations 24 are formed which extend into corresponding axially disposed slots 25 formed in the periphery of washer H, the indentations and slots constituting an axially slidable rotary driving connece The Fig. 2. It is understood that the clearance between washer I1 and retainer I8 is suiliciently great'to'permit free axial movement of washer l1 within the retainer and also a slight weaving of These and other objects and features "of this whichis secured. theimpellenll of a pun 1p, o nly-r the hub of the impeller being; shown; for cone raised-face-H -constituting-.;one,-surface. of the venience. Said shaft l'fl-p fisesthrough an open ing i 2 5m a housing: l.3-= which is provided with l a,

seal-.';=.-'I'he other surface; I 5; t -the seal is formed 7 orrithe end-10f: arnose iiinextending laterally. from I aisealing washer-r11. said washer... being annular. irijishape andt encircling-lshaft' l0. The washer-J1 of rubber or rubber'ellke material." either syn-" the washer within the retainer without impairing this free axial movement.

A fluid-tight seal is effected between retainer l8 and washer I] by means of an apertured flexible resilient diaphragm 26 .which' may be made of rubber or rubber-like material, either synthetic or natural, or a combination of the two, the type of material used being dependent upon the nature of the fluid to be sealed. The diaphragm 28 has a flange 21 compressed upon the exterior iii of cup 22 by a; similar flange 28 formed in retainer IS, the inner end extending radially inwardly and having one face in contact, with" the' ba'ck of washer I'I.

The washer, l'l

one endtby a recess 34 formed'in impeller ll. It

is understood Iof' course that otlher types of springsmayi be used in place of the helical spring 29,, ,The force of spring 29 is utilized toimaintain sealing surfaces l4 and IS in contact with oneanother at all times. Thus as the sealing' surfaces wear, washer ll will be moved to the 'rightas viewed in Fig. 1;

A fluid-tight seal is efiected between retainer l8 and washer ll by means'of an apertured flexible resilient diaphragm 26 which may be made is continuously urged to the" rIghta's viewed in' Fig. 1 by a spring 29 which may.be, helical in 'fo'rin and which is cehteredat" thetic or natural, or a combination of the two, the type of material used being dependent upon the nature of the fluid to be sealed. The diaphragm 26 has a flange 21 which is compressed upon the exterior surface I9 of cup 22 by a similar flange 28 formed in retainer I8, the inner end extending radially inwardly andhavingone face in contact with the back of washer" I'L' Saidwasher I1 is continuously urged to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 by a spring 29 which may be helical in form and which is centered at one end by a recess 30 formed in impeller I I. It is understood that other-types of springs may be used in place of helical spring 29. The force of spring 29 is utilized to maintain sealing surfaces I4 and I5 in contact with one another at all times. Thus as the sealing surfaces wear, washer 'I'I willbe' moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 by the force of spring 29 thereby maintaining a fluid-tight seal between the rotating impeller II and .the stationary housing. I 3. V

The back surface 3| of washer I| is relieved so that-the washer may move freely back and forth in an axial direction in retainer I8 without being taken to index slots properly with reterior surface I9 of cup 22 until the diaphragm strikes the end 2i of the cup. The seal is then ready for use.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the re tainer and diaphragm have been modified so that the diaphragm 25a is in the form of a flat washer andthe retainer I8a is pressed directly upon the exterior surface I9. It will be observed that diaphragm 26:: extends only partly across the end surface 2| of the cup 22 and does not overlie surface I9. Retainer I8a is modified so that flange 28a contacts surface I9 with a press-fit sufliciently tight to resist all torque imposed thereon by washer I'I. Two shoulders 33 and 34 are formed in the retainer I8, shoulder 34 abutting the end 2i of cup 22 and shoulder 33 abutting the side of diaphragm 26a. It is contemplated ready-foruse.

washer I! is first inserted into retainer I8a with slots 25 indexed properly with respect to indentations 24, and then diaphragm 26a is pressed into shoulder 33. Spring 29 is placed in recess 30 and the flange 28a of the retainer is pressed upon the exterior surface I9 of cup 22. The seal is then lt 'willi'ibeinoted that since diaphragmtfia is a flat washer, it may be cut from sheet material, although considerable material could be saved bymolding the washer. When formed by molding, only the simplest of two-part molds need be used.

- Seals; madein accordance with this invention are simple to-manufacture and to install. They maybe handled ,as two separate units, 'viz., the spring and'the retainer, the washer and diaphragmin each case being held in the retainer either by friction or by mechanical means. The washer, although freely movable in the retainer in an .axialidirectiomis nevertheless positively driven by the retainer so that no severe torque load is imposed upon 'the flexible diaphragm They are well suited for use in water pumps'such as are used in automobiles and in general in any place where a cylindrical surface is available upon which theretainer-may be pressed. 'It is understood. that the. foregoing description is merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention and thatthe scope of the invention therefore-is'not to be limited thereto, but

that the outside diameter of diaphragm 26a will be such that a press-fit will be established between the outer edge of the diaphragm and the inside of the step 35. It is contemplated further that the depth of the space between the end surface 2| of cup 22 and shoulder 33 will be slightly less than the thickness of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm will be compressed to form a fluid-tight connection between the cup and retainer. Toinsure a fluid-tight connection and also to assist in holding the diaphragm from being drawn radially inward by the movement of washer I1 a head 36 maybe formed in shoulder 33. The remainder of the seal is the same as that shown in Fig. -1, like reference characters referring to corresponding parts in Fig. 3.

In assembling the form shown in Fig.

3, the

is to be determined'by theappended claims.

What is claimed .is:

1. In a fluid seal for relatively rotatable strucwith respect to one of the structures, a sealing 7 washer within the other portion, a sealing diaphragm having radially outer and inner end regions, the outer endregion being compressed against the retainer and the inner endregion contacting 'thewasher, an axially slidable rotary driving connection between the washer and said other portion, an inward radial projection on the said other portion extending into the path of movement of the washer to-limit the axial move-. ment thereof in one direction,.a' radially outwardly extending shoulder at one end of said other portion of the retainer for locating the retainer relative; to said one structure, and resilient means acting against the said one structure and compressing the inner end of the diaphragm against the washer.

2. In a fluid seal for relatively rotatable structures, one of said structures having formed thereon a cup having substantially cylindrical inner' region being compressed against the retainer and,

the inner end region contacting the washer, an'

I axially slidable rotary driving connection between the washer and said otherportion, an. inward radial projection on the saidother portion extending into the path of movement of the washer.

to limit the axial movement thereof in onev 411-.

of the cup. and'spring meanswithin the cupand compressed between the, cup and':inner endgofi the diaphragm to form a fluid-tight connectio between the diaphragm and washer.

3. The combination of a fluid seal as described in claim 1, said retainer cylindrical portions being of different diameters.

4. The combination of a fluid sea] as described in claim 2, said retainer cylindrical portions being of difierent'diameters such that the portion adapted for press fit surrounds the outside of the cup, and said diaphragm is provided with an axial flange which is adapted to be compressed between the last-mentioned retainer portion and the outside of the cup to form a fluid-tight seal thereat.

5. The combination of a fluid seal as described in claim 2, said retainer cylindrical portions being of different diameters such that the portion adapted for press fit is pressed directly upon the outside surface of the cup, and the radially outwardly extending shoulder is located between the cylindrical portions.

6. The combination of a fluid seal as described in claim 2, said retainer cylindrical portions being of different diameters such that the portion adapted for press fit is pressed directly upon the outside surface of the cup, and said radially outwardly extending shoulder is provided with an 25 Number 6 axial oil-set such that the diaphragm is compressed between the axial ofl-set and the end of the cup, while the remainder of the flange contacts the 'end of the cup directly. thereby limiting the amount of compression towhich the diaphragm is subjected.

7. The combination of a fluid seal as described in claim 1, said retainer cylindrical portions being of difl'erent diameters and said radially outwardly extending shoulder connecting the two portions. 7

VANCE E. VORHEES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Fageal et al Oct. 24, 1933 Barish' May 24, 1938 Limpert June 20, 193.9 Vedovell Feb. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PA'IENTS Country Date f Great Britain 1928 Number 

